Registered number: 03920526 Charity number: 1080986
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Unaudited
Trustees' report and financial statements
For the year ended 31 March 2025
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 - 11 |
| Independent examiner's report | 12 - 13 |
| Statement of financial activities | 14 |
| Balance sheet | 15 - 16 |
| Statement of cash flows | 17 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 18 - 35 |
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Reference and administrative details of the charity, its Trustees and advisers For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Trustees | Mr M Wilson MA (Oxon), Chair |
|---|---|
| Mr R Gill FCA, Treasurer | |
| Ms J Sharp | |
| Mr M Connell (resigned 27 November 2024) | |
| Mrs S Temple Clifton (appointed 27 November 2024) | |
| Mrs J Cowell (appointed 27 November 2024) | |
| Miss E Copper (appointed 4 June 2025) | |
| Miss C Evans (appointed 4 June 2025) | |
| Mr P Mitchell (appointed 4 June 2025) | |
| Company registered number 03920526 Charity registered number 1080986 Registered office 2a Wentworth House Vernon Gate Derby DE1 1UR Key management personnel Ms C Winfield - CEO Mrs A Daw - Finance manager Ms R Graham - Operations service manager Independent Examiners Bates Weston LLP Chartered Accountants The Mills Canal Street Derby DE1 2RJ Bankers Lloyds Bank 812 Osmaston Road Allenton Derby DE24 9AA |
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report For the year ended 31 March 2025
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
The charity’s objectives are to provide relief and support to people of all ages, particularly people who are visually impaired and living in Derby, Derbyshire or surrounding areas. Its aim is to enhance the quality of life for these people and their carers by raising the resources necessary to provide a comprehensive range of supportive services and activities throughout the area. The charity also works to educate the public and promote understanding about eye health and sight loss in order to prevent avoidable sight loss.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
b. Grant-making policies
The charity does not make grants to other organisations or individuals as part of its work. From time to time, the charity applies for grants from specific charitable trusts for the purchase of equipment for individual beneficiaries. Most recently this has been for specialist swimming goggles and the cost of one-to-one swimming lessons for visually impaired children. Grant income is restricted to this particular activity.
c. Volunteers
Our volunteers lie at the heart of our service delivery efforts. It is because of their selfless and dedicated service we are able to reach out to so many blind and visually impaired people and people in need throughout Derbyshire. In 2024/25 we retained 61 active volunteers overall; but we did see a bigger ‘churn’ in turnover. Like many other charities who use volunteers, we have more recently found recruitment and retention an ongoing challenge.
Our Befriending service continues to create the biggest demand for new volunteers. Our Volunteer Coordinator advertises in creative ways all across Derbyshire to try and find volunteer befrienders to match with our service users.
Moving forward we aim to recruit new volunteers and to provide structured support to those already working with us. We know from past experience that without our loyal and dedicated volunteers we cannot provide the wide range of support services to our beneficiaries.
Each year we check the status of our volunteers with each volunteer's line manager to ensure that we have up to date information and we remove 'non active' volunteers from the register. This ensures that all of our volunteers are well managed and their training and experience is up to date and relevant. We are proud that many of our
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
Objectives and activities (continued)
volunteers have demonstrated commitment and loyalty to the charity. Even with the more recent higher turnover of volunteers, we still have a significant number having given more than three years of service, and many with over ten years.
d. Main activities undertaken to further the charity's purposes for the public benefit
The charity supports people with sight loss, taking referrals from hospital eye clinics, from various professionals, and directly from visually impaired people. A range of services is available, including Eye Clinic Liaison Officers at the two main hospitals in Derbyshire; telephone helpline; rehabilitation services; low vision services; resource centres; information and advice events; living well and befriending schemes; social activities; and children and young people activities.
Regular awareness raising events are run to promote good eye health, the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and the importance of regular eye tests. Our mobile resource service regularly promotes eye health when out and about in Derbyshire. We also organise specific local events as part of national (and sometimes international) awareness campaigns such as National Eye Health Week in September each year. This year’s events included stalls at various Public Health events, in Opticians practices, and at hospital eye departments.
“I didn’t know that smoking was linked to Macular Degeneration, I thought it was just linked to cancer.”
“It was really interesting to wear the Sim-Specs and experience what sight loss conditions might be like. You can see how frightening it must be when you lose your sight.” (Feedback from Eye Health awareness event September 2024)
The Trustees use various measures to track the success of the charity over the year and to ensure it is delivering public benefit. Measures include financial monitoring against budget; project performance against agreed funder criteria and KPI’s; staff and service user feedback; regular monitoring of any accidents, Health & Safety issues, safeguarding alerts, complaints and compliments; any operational performance agreed at Board meetings.
The Trustees have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities. In particular, the Trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.
Our commissioned low vision, rehabilitation, and advice services have once again been busy with new referrals, and with people who return for follow up support as their eye sight changes (and deteriorates). We regularly get positive feedback about how the services have helped increase confidence, motivation and independence.
Case study – Adult Services
Chloe experienced sudden sight loss in 2021 due to neurological optic atrophy and is registered Severely Sight Impaired (SSI). Chloe has very limited residual vision and is only able to identify hand movements in her right eye and to count fingers in front of her face with her left eye. She is also colour blind, has cataract, nystagmus (a rhythmical repetitive and involuntary movement of the eyes) and is photophobic (light sensitive).
SSD received confirmation of Chloe’s registration in 2021, but at that time she did not want to engage with rehabilitation services, as she was dealing with other complex health issues. Following a meeting at the eye clinic with the SSD Eye Clinic Liaison Officer (ECLO) a new referral for Chloe was made in September 2024 for a full rehabilitation assessment and mobility training.
Chloe lives with her husband and three children. Prior to her diagnosis Chloe was very independent, working in catering, driving a car etc. However, following her sight loss she was no longer able to work or drive. Her
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
Objectives and activities (continued)
husband also gave up his job in order to help care for Chloe and look after their children.
During the Vision Rehabilitation Specialists (VRS) initial assessment, Chloe described how her world had fallen apart following her sight loss. Chloe was unable to undertake many basic tasks or mobilise safely and independently.
Following an assessment of Chloe’s needs, support & equipment was given in the following areas:
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A liquid level indicator to help Chloe prepare hot drinks safely & independently
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Information was allocated on useful Apps for her mobile phone
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Sighted guide training was given to Chloe and her husband (a handout was given for future reference).
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Long cane training was agreed in order for Chloe to travel independently to the local shop, pharmacy, dentist and her parents’ house
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A symbol cane was given to help identify her sight loss to the general public when out with her family.
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An A5 writing guide was given to assist Chloe to write notes and greetings cards etc.
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A referral was made to the British Wireless for the Blind fund for a player to listen to talking books.
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Support was given to register for RNIB talking books service.
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A penfriend device was demonstrated and allocated to help identify items in the home
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A referral was made to the Equipment & Adaptation Team for an assessment (bathing assessment, additional handrail on stairs, handrails on front or back door, advice on disabled parking spaces).
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A broad pen was demonstrated and allocated, along with a memo recorder (to assist with remembering telephone numbers, dates etc).
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A talking colour detector was allocated in order for Chloe to identify her own clothes etc.
Chloe and the VRS discussed her priorities in relation to rehabilitation, and it was agreed that she would initially like to focus on long cane training and going out independently. As a result, she is now able to detect and avoid various obstacles in her environment (lamp posts, bollards, bins, uneven terrain etc). Through the training programme Chloe was shown the safest place to cross roads along the routes and taught how to do this on her own. Chloe is now aware of the safest route to her parents’ house and the local shops where she can access the pharmacy and dentist.
Following SSD input Chloe said:
“I really wish I had accepted help with my sight loss before now. I honestly thought that there was nothing anyone could do for me. It’s true that no one can give me my eyesight back, but (the RVS) has given me some of my independence back, and to me, that means the world!”
(Case study from our qualified VRS, 2024)
Our funding for the children and young people’s group from Children in Need ended in 2024, and our bid for a further three years was not successful. However, we were successful in attracting alternative small grants, and we used our own restricted reserves to continue with activities. The change in funding has meant that we now have an opportunity to work closely with our children, young people, and their families to review our service offer, making sure it is appropriate and sustainable moving forward.
The group continue to meet regularly during term time for evening visits to activities such as ‘Clip ’n Climb’, cinema and trampolining. During the school holidays, full day visits and activities are organised.
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
Objectives and activities (continued)
Case Study - Children’s Service
F aged 8 and K aged 11 are brothers who both suffer with the same eye condition. The C&YP Worker made contact with the family following a referral from a specialist Teaching Assistant at the school. The boy’s mother was concerned that her sons would miss out on social opportunities due to their sight loss.
Following an initial assessment meeting, the boys attended two events with their mum. At the first activity, (trampolining) they were quite shy and did not interact much with the other children. At the second activity, the younger boy was talking to other group members and encouraged his older brother to engage more. Their mother was delighted with the progress they had made. She was able to talk to other parents of visually impaired children about some of the shared challenges they faced. She later fed back:
“It was such a relief to know that we weren’t the only ones frightened about the move to secondary school. ‘Sue’ (another mum) has given me so many tips about how to help K when he moves up to senior school.”
Both boys have continued to enjoy the programme of activities. Following a group visit to Circus Stars, F told us:
“I’ve liked coming here with my new friends. It’s a bit like seeing Britain’s Got Talent live. The acrobats are amazing, one of them gave me a ‘high-five’ after the show.”
(Case study from our C&YP Worker, 2025)
Other work
Over the year we sent out three newsletters to over 5,000 visually impaired service users on our data base. The newsletters contained information about our services, new developments, and how people could contact us. The newsletters were sponsored by several VI equipment providers whose information we shared with the relevant mail out. We continue to send out our newsletters in large print paper copies (preferred by most of our service users). We had previously piloted sending the newsletter by email to the 428 service users we had email addresses for. This was well received and so we continue to send the newsletters by email and in paper format. All newsletters are also made available as downloads from our website (in suitable formats for talking software) and as audio files.
We continued to network with other local and national service providers to make sure that we were up to date with relevant information that we can share with our service users.
We provided advice and support to carers, and to professionals working with visually impaired people. This took the form of telephone advice, mailed out information, one to one support to help with specific issues (such as sighted guiding for family members) and training to groups of staff and volunteers.
Achievements and performance
a. Main achievements of the charity
Key achievements 2024/25
Contracts and funding from some of our statutory partners have been difficult to predict. Local Authorities and the Integrated Care Board are all facing increasing financial pressures and reorganisation, and this is reflected in their ability to provide any mid to longer term commitment to their future service requirements and available funding. We have continued to work with these funders to clearly identify the need for our services and what they achieve in terms of positive outcomes for visually impaired people.
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance (continued)
In April 2024 we entered into the second year of our five-year contract with Derbyshire County Council. The contract has an option for a further three one-year roll overs; eight years in total. This contract remains our biggest single source of income and provides some stability for longer term planning across the organisation.
Despite ongoing staffing challenges, particularly around the recruitment of qualified Vision Rehabilitation Specialists, we managed to deliver rehabilitation services to 596 people in Derbyshire. We also ran 12 Visually Impaired People (‘V.I.P’) information days, attracting 482 people who came to find out about a range of services and equipment available to them. The mobile resource service, staffed predominantly by our volunteers set up 28 sessions and dealt with 283 enquiries.
“Seeing all the equipment in one place has been very good. It’s given me an idea about what sort of things could be useful to me. The staff have all been very friendly and patient in explaining what the equipment does.” (Attendee at a VIP Day.)
Our low vision service, that we run under contract to the Integrated Care Board (ICB) has continued, with an eighteen-month contract in place. During the period we expected the contract and service to be reviewed by the ICB. However, due to various changes at the ICB no review took place in the year. We continue to work with approved community-based optometrists to support visually impaired people in Derby and Derbyshire to make the most of their residual vision. The service provides a home assessment, and relevant equipment where it will help. Common items are daylight floor and table lights, and hand-held magnifiers.
“Having this service has been amazing and has really improved how much I can see. I wish I had known about it earlier. The magnifier I’ve been given has really helped, especially when I’m out shopping.” (Low Vision service user.)
Our two Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs), based at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, and Royal Derby Hospital had contact with over 1,145 patients, an increase of 184 from the previous year. Some were general advice and information, but many were patients who had been told at the Eye Clinic that they were being certified as sight impaired, or severely sight impaired (partially sighted, or blind). This is devastating news for patients, and our ECLOs help them to understand what their diagnosis means and importantly, what help is available to them.
“I knew that my eye condition meant that my sight would deteriorate, but I never dreamed it would happen so quickly. Each time I came to the eye clinic I went to see (the ECLO). She helped me come to terms with what was happening, and also helped me to access all sorts of useful services. I am so very grateful.” (Hospital patient October 2024)
Our ‘Living Well’ project grant was once again extended by the Integrated Care Board. During the year the new Living Well Coordinator did an excellent job of promoting the service and generating referrals. We completed work with sixty-one people; an increase of twelve from the previous year. A new support planning format was developed, and improved monitoring put in place. Outcomes for the people going through the Living Well service were extremely positive, with all service users reporting improved health and well-being.
Living Well Case Study
Mr. D. lives in Derby and had to take early retirement due to his sight loss. This had an impact on his day-to-day living, and he required more support from his wife who was still working part time. Due to the nature of his sight loss. Mr. D was finding it difficult with many of his daily tasks such as food prep; some elements of personal care; and depth perception which, in turn, was affecting his gait. He had received some rehabilitation support from City Council services, but was encouraged by the Living Well Project Worker to make contact with the Council again to look at kitchen skills and mobility/cane training.
Prior to his sight loss Mr. D. had done a lot of running, but had not been doing this since his sight had
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance (continued)
deteriorated. He said that he now felt ‘un-fit’ and had put on some weight. Mr. D. preferred road running over an activity like going to the gym. The Living Well Project Worker did some research and found out about a group called ‘Running Buddies’. They kept a list of local runners who were happy to help and to safely guide and support others whilst out running. A referral was submitted and a match made.
As Mrs. D. was still working, the Living Well Project Worker suggested looking into making use of a personal assistant to help Mr. D. as this would reduce the pressure on his wife. It would also give Mr. D more independence. Information about this, along with options for some financial support, was passed on to Mr. & Mrs. D for them to consider.
Mr. D fed back:
“I am so happy to be running again, I can’t tell you what a difference it has made. The first couple of times I was huffing and puffing, but I can already feel my fitness improving. (The Running Buddy) has been so patient, taking things at my pace. I feel much more positive about the future.”
Our befriending service entered its second year and continues to offer face to face and telephone befriending to visually impaired people in Derby and Derbyshire. Despite ongoing challenges with volunteer recruitment, thirtyeight new matches have been made. The service is providing much needed companionship and support to service users.
“From the first day we hit it off and we sat chatting like old friends. I look forward to (volunteer befriender) visiting each week, it really lifts me.” (Befriending service user, June 2024)
During the year we recruited two new Trustees. Sarah Clifton brings extensive career experience in human resource management; Jayne Cowell has a history in policing and defence and brings a broad knowledge base, particularly around all aspects of safeguarding.
Moving into 2025/26 three further trustees are in the recruitment pipe-line, which would bring the total to eight. The Board have had Trustee recruitment as a priority, and the increase in number and skills has been welcomed.
2024/25 was another challenging year for charities, with fundraising an ongoing concern. However, with the dedicated support from our service users, our volunteers and our staff, we continued to provide much needed support to visually impaired people across Derby and Derbyshire.
b. Fundraising activities and income generation
Sight Support Derbyshire is a fundraising organisation and relies on this generated income in order to provide a full range of services. This fundraising activity is driven by the Fundraising Team, made up of a part time Fundraising and Marketing Lead, and a part time Fundraising Assistant. We do not use the services of any external, commercial fundraising companies.
Sight Support Derbyshire has signed up to the voluntary code of conduct issued by The Fundraising Regulator, ensuring that we comply with best practice in the sector. We have met all standards issued by The Fundraising Regulator and have not received any complaints about our fundraising activities.
Over recent years there has been heightened awareness of the unscrupulous fundraising activities carried out by some charities (or companies acting on their behalf). Sight Support Derbyshire has an approach to fundraising that ensures donors and potential donors are respected and valued. This means:
We never make unreasonable or persistent approaches for the purpose of soliciting or otherwise procuring
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance (continued)
money or other property on behalf of the charity.
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We would never place undue pressure on a person to give money or other property.
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We would never intrude on a person's privacy.
Sight Support Derbyshire fully complies with the General Data Protection Regulations. Our fundraising data is kept on E Tapestry, a specialist fundraising data management tool that allows us to monitor GDPR compliance and to ensure that our donor preferences are respected. As a local fundraising charity, we rely on our continued positive reputation in all of our activities.
Trustees continue to monitor our fundraising income and opportunities.
Financial review
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
The results for the year showed a net income of £109,533 with the level of free reserves amounting to £418,513 at the year end.
Whilst there can be no certainty with regard to future income, the Trustees confirm there is no reason to believe that funding will not be maintained. The Trustees believe it is appropriate for the accounts to be prepared on a going concern basis.
b. Reserves policy
During 2024/25 Sight Support Derbyshire Trustees reviewed the charity’s reserves policy and found it to be still relevant. The policy acknowledges its duty to balance the needs of current and future beneficiaries of the charity and to have sufficient reserves to cover known liabilities and contingencies, absorb setbacks, and take advantage of change and opportunity.
In line with the current reserves policy, Sight Support Derbyshire aims to have a minimum level of reserves of £250,000. In the event that reserves fall below this lower threshold, Sight Support Derbyshire will aim to restore the level of reserves over an agreed period. Should reserves exceed the upper threshold of £350,000 Sight Support Derbyshire will take action to reduce reserves over an agreed period.
The charity had total reserves carried forward at 31 March 2025 of £923,612, of which, £96,416 are restricted reserves.
Unrestricted reserves at 31 March 2025 are £827,196, of which, £390,139 remains invested in the office premises and £18,544 in the Staff Development fund leaving £418,513 as free reserves, £68,513 above the upper limit. Trustees have authorised £15,000 for computer hardware, and they will set up a designated fund for building repairs and maintenance.
c. Principal risks and uncertainties
A corporate risk plan has been developed which provides an annual review of the key risks the charity may face.
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
It also highlights what systems and procedures have been put in place to mitigate these risks and minimise any potential negative impact should any of the risks materialise. The plan is divided into six areas, in line with Charity Commission guidance:
- Governance risks 2. Operational risks 3. Financial risks 4. External risks 5. Compliance (law and regulatory) 6. Other
The Trustees consider the key risks facing the charity are the short-term nature of the main contracts and the possibility of remaining grants being reduced or cut; challenges of staff recruitment and retention; challenges posed by external I.T threats. Suitable mitigations for these identified risks are identified in the corporate risk plan that is updated annually and as risk levels change.
A system of internal controls is also in place, designed to provide reasonable but not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss. These include:
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Delegation of authority with separation of duties as far as staffing will allow.
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Business objectives and budget approved by the Trustees.
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Regular consideration of financial progress against budgets.
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Identification and management of risks and the arrangement of appropriate insurance cover.
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An intention to maintain awareness of current and new legislation which is relevant to the business of the charity.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee and was incorporated on 7 February 2000. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The charitable company began its operations on 1 April 2001 when all assets, liabilities, contractual arrangements, activities and work in progress were transferred from a charity known as Derbyshire Association for the Blind charity number 213876. Since 2012 Derbyshire Association of the Blind Limited has traded as Sight Support Derbyshire – SSD.
In 2019 the Memorandum and Articles of Association were changed, to broaden potential charity beneficiaries and to reduce the minimum number of Trustees from eight to four.
b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
A Board of not less than four and up to twenty Directors/Trustees who are elected at the Annual General Meeting governs Derbyshire Association of the Blind Limited. The Board aims to have membership of one third of visually impaired people. The Trustees serve for three years and may be re-elected. Vacancies during the year may be filled by co-option. All new Trustees are recruited through an agreed process which includes a written application form, take up of references and once accepted a Board induction programme. The Board has met six times in the financial year 2024/25.
c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies
The charity’s key management personnel are considered to be the Senior Management Team including the Chief Executive. Their remuneration is set by the Board of Trustees and is based on salary levels of similar positions within the sector.
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
Structure, governance and management (continued)
The Board of Trustees oversees the strategic direction of the charity. Meetings take place every two months and cover finances, policy, review of services, H&S, safeguarding, H.R and any other relevant business. There is a Finance Committee that meets as required and reports to main Board. Trustees have appointed a Chief Executive Officer to manage the day-to-day operation of the charity. The CEO has delegated authority within terms of delegation approved by the Trustees, for operational matters including finance, employment, service design and delivery and other related activity.
d. Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees
Derbyshire Association of the Blind Limited has documented the policies and practices employed by the charity in the delivery of its services and these include (inter alia):
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An equal opportunities policy
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A recruitment and staffing policy
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A health and safety policy
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A volunteers’ policy
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A risk management policy
All new Trustees undergo a tailored induction programme which includes briefing them on their legal obligations under Charity and Company law; the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association; Board meeting and decision making process; business aims; risk management and recent financial performance. During the induction process new members have the opportunity to visit the offices, meet key staff and visit the charity’s services.
All Trustees are notified of any relevant training courses, workshops and seminars relating to their roles. Occasional training is delivered before Board meetings.
Plans for future periods
Despite the financial pressures being felt by all charities we remain strong and determined to continue to provide quality services to the thousands of blind and visually impaired people who depend upon us. To that end, in the coming year we will be focusing on the following:
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Taking steps to ensure the continuation of all existing services including seeking funding for those services whose funding is due to end.
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Building on our links with statutory and community organisations, aiming to ensure that the needs of visually impaired people in Derbyshire are met.
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Maintaining (and where possible increasing) the numbers of visually impaired people we support across the City and County.
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Striving to increase our ECLO service at Royal Derby Hospital, from three funded days to five each week.
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Linking with other visual impairment charities across the region (and where relevant country) to look at new innovation and best practice to inform our future work.
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Updating policies and procedures to ensure they reflect legislation, best practice and our working arrangements.
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Working with the Board to increase Board membership based on our skills analysis.
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Working to ensure we remain a good employer in order to attract new staff when needed.
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Look at succession planning across the organisation; including replacement of the CEO who will retire at the end of 2025.
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
Plans for future periods (continued)
- Review the Rehabilitation Apprenticeship in place, and consider another opportunity for a member of SSD staff.
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Mr M Wilson MA (Oxon) (Chair of Trustees) Date: 18 November 2025
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Independent examiner's report For the year ended 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Derbyshire Association of the Blind Limited ('the charity')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the charity (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Page 12
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee)
Independent examiner's report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2025
This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Wayne Thomas FCA
Dated: 4 December 2025
Bates Weston LLP The Mills Canal Street Derby DE1 2RJ
Page 13
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies 4 Charitable activities 5 Other trading activities 6 Investments Other income Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 7 Charitable activities 8 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income Transfers between funds 17 Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Restricted funds 2025 £ 122,240 401,224 1,000 - - 524,464 - 532,261 532,261 (7,797) 15,354 7,557 88,859 7,557 96,416 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 168,786 11,267 8,569 17,768 917 207,307 51,453 38,524 89,977 117,330 (15,354) 101,976 725,220 101,976 827,196 |
Total funds 2025 £ 291,026 412,491 9,569 17,768 917 731,771 51,453 570,785 622,238 109,533 - 109,533 814,079 109,533 923,612 |
Total funds 2024 £ 154,655 404,213 8,125 11,737 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 579,230 | ||||
| 45,134 516,425 |
||||
| 561,559 | ||||
| 17,671 - |
||||
| 17,671 | ||||
| 796,408 17,671 |
||||
| 814,079 |
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 18 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
Page 14
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 03920526
Balance sheet As at 31 March 2025
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 Investments 13 Current assets Stocks Debtors 14 Investments 15 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 16 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Total net assets |
2,007 76,707 305,000 218,505 602,219 (73,746) |
2025 £ 390,139 5,000 395,139 528,473 923,612 923,612 |
1,784 29,746 358,685 103,322 493,537 (68,618) |
2024 £ 384,160 5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 389,160 424,919 |
||||
| 814,079 | ||||
| 814,079 |
Page 15
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee) Registered number: 03920526
Balance sheet (continued) As at 31 March 2025
| Note Charity funds Restricted funds 17 Unrestricted funds Designated funds 17 General funds 17 Total unrestricted funds 17 Total funds |
408,683 418,513 |
2025 £ 96,416 827,196 923,612 |
405,281 319,939 |
2024 £ 88,859 725,220 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 814,079 |
The charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Mr M Wilson MA (Oxon)
(Chair of Trustees)
Date: 18 November 2025
The notes on pages 18 to 35 form part of these financial statements.
Page 16
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Statement of cash flows For the year ended 31 March 2025
| Cash flows from operating activities Net cash used in operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interests and rents from investments Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash provided by investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year The notes on pages 18 to 35 form part of these financial statements |
2025 £ 54,730 17,768 (10,999) 6,769 61,499 462,006 523,505 |
2024 £ 9,119 |
|---|---|---|
| 11,737 - |
||
| 11,737 | ||
| 20,856 441,150 |
||
| 462,006 | ||
Page 17
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
1. General information
The charity is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Trustees named within legal and administrative information. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member of the charity.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Derbyshire Association of the Blind Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
2.2 Going concern
The Trustees have prepared forecasts of income and expenditure and cash flow for a period of 12 months from approval of these financial statements which show that they will be able to operate within the facilities available to them. Therefore, the Trustees believe that it is appropriate to prepare the accounts on a going concern basis.
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the charity has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the charity, can be reliably measured.
Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.
Gifts in kind donated for distribution are included at valuation and recognised as income when they are distributed to the projects. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are distributed to the projects. Gifts donated for resale are included as income when they are sold.
Page 18
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.3 Income (continued)
Donated facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified and a third party is bearing the cost. The value of services provided by volunteers is not incorporated into these financial statements. Further details of the contribution made by volunteers can be found in the report of the Trustees’.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
2.4 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the charity to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
2.5 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised and recognised when future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value of the asset can be measured reliably.
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
Freehold property
- 1% straight line
Page 19
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED (A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation (continued)
| Motor vehicles | - | 20% | straight line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office equipment | - | 25% | straight line |
2.7 Investments
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities.
2.8 Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads. Items donated for resale or distribution are not included in the financial statements until they are sold or distributed.
2.9 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
2.10 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
2.11 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
2.12 Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Page 20
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.13 Operating leases
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of financial activities on a straightline basis over the lease term.
2.14 Pensions
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.
2.15 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment
Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Critical accounting estimates and judgements:
Support costs are allocated to activities based on the percentage of direct costs relating to each activity. Support costs are only allocated to restricted funds where the conditions of the funding allows.
Page 21
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
4. Income from donations and legacies
| Grants BBC Children in Need Derby Royal Hospital Masonic Charitable Foundation NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board The Molly Forster Charitable Trust The WILL Charitable Trust The Alan Robert Laken Charitable Trust Grants <£5k Donations Legacies Total 2024 |
Restricted funds 2025 Unrestricted funds 2025 £ £ 7,408 - 15,000 - 30,000 - 37,909 - 41 - - - 7,082 - 24,800 13,000 122,240 13,000 - 21,716 - 134,070 - 155,786 122,240 168,786 103,702 50,953 |
Total funds 2025 £ 7,408 15,000 30,000 37,909 41 - 7,082 37,800 135,240 21,716 134,070 155,786 291,026 154,655 |
Total funds 2024 £ 9,769 15,000 - 36,592 9,679 10,000 - 35,762 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 116,802 | |||
| 23,450 14,403 |
|||
| 37,853 | |||
| 154,655 | |||
Page 22
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
5. Income from charitable activities
| Social events Statutory contracts Sale of goods Total 2024 |
Restricted funds 2025 Unrestricted funds 2025 £ £ 1,719 - 399,505 - - 11,267 401,224 11,267 394,422 9,791 |
Total funds 2025 £ 1,719 399,505 11,267 412,491 404,213 |
Total funds 2024 £ 1,537 392,885 9,791 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 404,213 | |||
6. Income from other trading activities
Income from fundraising events
| Fundraising activities Total 2024 |
Restricted funds 2025 Unrestricted funds 2025 £ £ 1,000 8,569 - 8,125 |
Total funds 2025 £ 9,569 8,125 |
Total funds 2024 £ 8,125 |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 23
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
7. Expenditure on raising funds
Costs of raising voluntary income
| Unrestricted funds 2025 £ Fundraising costs 17,148 Fundraising costs - wages and salaries 34,305 51,453 Total 2024 45,134 |
Total funds 2025 £ 17,148 34,305 51,453 45,134 |
Total funds 2024 £ 12,280 32,854 |
|---|---|---|
| 45,134 | ||
8. Analysis of expenditure by activities
| VIP Assessment & Rehabilitation Services VIP Specialist Equipment Supplies Hospital Eye Clinic Information Service VIP Social & Sporting Activities Resource Centre Chesterfield Total 2024 |
Activities undertaken directly 2025 £ 300,200 89,953 55,352 19,324 6,383 471,212 435,267 |
Support costs 2025 £ 63,436 19,008 11,697 4,083 1,349 99,573 81,158 |
Total funds 2025 £ 363,636 108,961 67,049 23,407 7,732 570,785 516,425 |
Total funds 2024 £ 307,879 117,058 57,757 26,834 6,897 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 516,425 | ||||
Page 24
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
8. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued) Analysis of support costs
| Staff costs Other support costs 9. Independent examiner's remuneration Fees payable to the charity's auditor for the audit of the annual accounts Fees payable to the charity's independent examiner in respect of: All other services not included above 10. Staff costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Pension costs |
Total funds 2025 £ 83,977 15,596 99,573 2025 £ - 3,000 2025 £ 401,771 22,380 13,388 437,539 |
Total funds 2024 £ 64,169 16,989 |
|---|---|---|
| 81,158 | ||
| 2024 £ 6,050 1,050 |
||
| 2024 £ 354,661 19,781 12,750 |
||
| 387,192 |
The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
| Charitable activities Fundraising Management and administration |
2025 15 2 4 21 |
2024 12 2 4 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 |
Page 25
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
10. Staff costs (continued)
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
The total amount of employee benefits received by key management personnel as disclosed on page 1 is £128,838 (2024: £124,458).
11. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) .
During the year ended 31 March 2025, expenses totaling £ 378 were reimbursed to 2 Trustees (2024 - £322 to 2 Trustees) in relation to their roles as volunteers.
12. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year On disposals At 31 March 2025 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 |
Freehold property £ 392,000 - - 392,000 7,840 3,920 - 11,760 380,240 384,160 |
Motor vehicles £ 8,340 10,999 (8,340) 10,999 8,340 1,100 (8,340) 1,100 9,899 - |
Office equipment £ 25,238 - (1,026) 24,212 25,238 - (1,026) 24,212 - - |
Total £ 425,578 10,999 (9,366) 427,211 41,418 5,020 (9,366) 37,072 390,139 384,160 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 26
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
13. Fixed asset investments
| Cost At 1 April 2024 At 31 March 2025 |
National Savings bonds £ 5,000 |
|---|---|
| 5,000 |
14. Debtors
| Due within one year Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income |
2025 £ 26,838 1,662 48,207 76,707 |
2024 £ 6,704 1,449 21,593 |
|---|---|---|
| 29,746 |
15. Current asset investments
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash on deposit | 305,000 | 358,685 |
Page 27
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Deferred income at 1 April 2024 Resources deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods |
2025 £ 11,983 19,708 504 41,551 73,746 2025 £ 22,704 33,563 (22,614) 33,653 |
2024 £ 16,721 17,718 215 33,964 68,618 2024 £ 32,072 22,614 (31,982) 22,704 |
|---|---|---|
Deferred income at the 31 March 2025 relates to grant income received by the charity, where the grant conditions requires income to be utilised in a particular period.
Page 28
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
17. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Fixed asset fund Staff development fund General funds General Funds Total Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Chesterfield Resource centre Social Activities Living Well at Home project Hospital Services Children's & Young People's Services Derbyshire County Services Contract Derbys County Rehab Equipment Low Vision Services Befriending project Legacy Income Total of funds |
Balance at 1 April 2024 £ 384,160 21,121 405,281 319,939 725,220 - 11,646 10,259 21,558 23,586 - - 1,116 16,968 3,726 88,859 814,079 |
Income £ - - - 207,307 207,307 - 9,158 37,909 53,612 22,391 235,344 17,742 112,808 35,500 - 524,464 731,771 |
Expenditure £ (3,920) (2,577) (6,497) (83,480) (89,977) (6,383) (10,923) (32,167) (63,208) (11,501) (243,282) (17,743) (114,030) (33,024) - (532,261) (622,238) |
Transfers in/out £ 9,899 - 9,899 (25,253) (15,354) 6,383 - - 926 - 7,938 1 106 - - 15,354 - |
Balance at 31 March 2025 £ 390,139 18,544 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 408,683 | |||||
| 418,513 | |||||
| 827,196 | |||||
| - 9,881 16,001 12,888 34,476 - - - 19,444 3,726 |
|||||
| 96,416 | |||||
| 923,612 |
Page 29
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
17. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
| Unrestricted funds Designated funds Fixed asset fund Staff development fund General funds General Funds Total Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Chesterfield Resource centre Sports Social & Leisure Living Well at Home project Hospital Services Children's & Young People's Services Derbyshire County Services Contract Derbys County Rehab Equipment Low Vision Services Befriending project Legacy Income Total of funds |
Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 388,080 - 388,080 305,414 693,494 - 6,074 21,121 21,492 20,441 - - - 30,000 3,786 102,914 796,408 |
Income £ - - - 81,106 81,106 - 14,650 36,592 56,612 20,498 235,344 13,631 110,297 10,500 - 498,124 579,230 |
Expenditure £ (3,920) - (3,920) (60,612) (64,532) (5,814) (9,078) (26,333) (56,546) (17,353) (235,545) (13,645) (109,181) (23,532) - (497,027) (561,559) |
Transfers in/out £ - 21,121 21,121 (5,969) 15,152 5,814 - (21,121) - - 201 14 - - (60) (15,152) - |
Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 384,160 21,121 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 405,281 | |||||
| 319,939 | |||||
| 725,220 | |||||
| - 11,646 10,259 21,558 23,586 - - 1,116 16,968 3,726 |
|||||
| 88,859 | |||||
| 814,079 |
Page 30
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
17. Statement of funds (continued)
General
The general reserve represents the free funds of the charity which are not designated for particular purposes.
Designated
The fixed asset designated fund was established to assist in identifying those funds that are not free funds and represents the net book value of tangible fixed assets. The balance on the designated fund is reviewed by the Trustees at the year end and adjusted by a transfer to the general reserve for the depreciation charge in the year, after taking into account additions and disposals.
The staff development fund was previously established as a result of underspend on the Living Well at Home project which is a grant funded service. In the prior year. it was agreed by Trustees that the underspend would be designated for staff development. This fund allows staff to access a broad range of training and development opportunities to further the cause of the charity.
Transfers are made from unrestricted funds to cover any restricted funds in deficit. Where funds have ended and underspend will not be clawed back from the funder, a transfer is made to unrestricted funds.
Restricted
The purposes of the restricted funds are as follows:
Social activities
Formerly called sports social and leisure. This provides sports and leisure services for visually impaired people. Main groups run in Derby and surrounding areas including Matlock and Long Eaton. Groups include swimming and bowling as well as trips out. Due to Covid face-to-face groups were postponed indefinitely and telephone conferencing activities developed for some service users.
Living well - Health at home
People with sight loss often become socially isolated or need support coming to terms with their eye condition. This service provides a six session intervention to people who have sight loss and live with a secondary health condition. It aims to improve confidence, maintain independence and reduce reliance on NHS services.
Hospital services
Staff and volunteers are present in all Derbyshire hospitals where registration of sight loss takes place. The service provides practical help, information and emotional support to patients in the eye clinic and their family and friends. The northern hospitals; Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Buxton Cavendish and Whitworth are funded by Chesterfield Royal Hospital Charitable Trust. The southern hospitals; Royal Derby Hospital and Ripley and Ilkeston Hospitals are partly funded by Royal Derby Hospital.
Children’s and young people’s services
Over the year the service moved ‘on-line’ and group activities were held remotely. I.T. equipment, funded from a Children in Need grant allowed us to set up and deliver this service and response from children and their families was very positive. Other aspects of these services were postponed due to access to activities being stopped – e.g. children’s one-to-one swimming support.
Page 31
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
Derbyshire County services contract rehabilitation
These services are commissioned by Derbyshire County Council and are provided by suitably qualified Rehabilitation Workers at Sight Support Derbyshire. Rehabilitation Workers visit visually impaired people in their own homes and work out an individual plan focusing on mobility, independent living and communication. Our Rehab Workers also refer into other SSD services to ensure that people are getting the right support at the right time.
Derbyshire County Rehab Equipment
This income was specifically given for the purchase of rehabilitation equipment.
Low vision services
The Low Vision Aid Scheme is funded by the Derbyshire CCGs and supplies equipment such as magnifiers, lamps and shaded spectacles to enable visually impaired people to maximise the use of residual vision. The service is free of charge to users and SSD works alongside optometrists to assess clients in their own homes and to supply equipment. This service was changed to a remote assessment with service users and delivery of equipment mainly by post, with follow up support where needed.
Befriending Service
A two year grant for befriending was awarded by the The Masonic Charitable Foundation. The new service will involve the recruitment of face to face and telephone volunteers to support visually impaired service users feel better connected. Providing a regular contact, a listening ear, and someone to chat with about shared interests, the service aims to help fifty visually people over the two year project.
Legacy income
This legacy income was specifically given for the purchase of low vision equipment.
Page 32
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
18. Summary of funds
Summary of funds - current year
| Designated funds General funds Restricted funds |
Balance at 1 April 2024 £ 405,281 319,939 88,859 814,079 Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 388,080 305,414 102,914 796,408 |
Income £ - 207,307 524,464 731,771 Income £ - 81,106 498,124 579,230 |
Expenditure £ (6,497) (83,480) (532,261) (622,238) Expenditure £ (3,920) (60,612) (497,027) (561,559) |
Transfers in/out £ 9,899 (25,253) 15,354 - Transfers in/out £ 21,121 (5,969) (15,152) - |
Balance at 31 March 2025 £ 408,683 418,513 96,416 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 923,612 | |||||
| Balance at 31 March 2024 £ 405,281 319,939 88,859 |
|||||
| Summary of funds - prior year | |||||
| Designated funds General funds Restricted funds |
|||||
| 814,079 |
19. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
| Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Restricted funds 2025 Unrestricted funds 2025 £ £ - 390,139 - 5,000 129,979 472,240 (33,563) (40,183) 96,416 827,196 |
Total funds 2025 £ 390,139 5,000 602,219 (73,746) |
|---|---|---|
| 923,612 |
Page 33
DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
19. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
| Tangible fixed assets Fixed asset investments Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Restricted funds 2024 £ - - 111,563 (22,704) 88,859 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 384,160 5,000 381,974 (45,914) 725,220 |
Total funds 2024 £ 384,160 5,000 493,537 (68,618) 814,079 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities 2025 £ Net income for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities) 109,533 Adjustments for: Depreciation charges 5,020 Dividends, interests and rents from investments (17,768) Loss on disposal of investments - (Increase)/Decrease in stocks (223) (Increase)/Decrease in debtors (46,960) Increase/(Decrease) in creditors 5,128 Net cash provided by operating activities 54,730 21. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 2025 £ Cash at bank 218,505 Cash on deposit 305,000 Total cash and cash equivalents 523,505 |
2024 £ 17,671 3,920 (11,737) 100 422 3,224 (4,481) 9,119 2024 £ 103,321 358,685 462,006 |
|---|---|
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DERBYSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND LIMITED
(A company limited by guarantee)
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 March 2025
22. Analysis of changes in net debt
| Cash at bank and in hand Liquid investments |
At 1 April 2024 £ 103,322 358,685 462,007 |
Cash flows £ 115,183 (53,685) 61,498 |
At 31 March 2025 £ 218,505 305,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 523,505 |
23. Pension commitments
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the company to the fund.
The amount of outstanding pension contributions at the year end was £nil (2024 – £nil).
24. Related party transactions
The charity has not entered into any related party transactions during the year, nor are there any outstanding balances owing between related parties and the charity at 31 March 2025 (2024: £nil).
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